With the US Government intending to withhold significant funds under its federal rural broadband expansion programme, the country will gamble with the affordability and longevity of what was billed as a generational investment in connectivity. We tell a cautionary tale for other jurisdictions considering a reshuffle of their public broadband investments.
The fallout of the O2 price rise has seen DSIT ask Ofcom to look at in-contract price rises again in the UK, including a “rapid review” of how easy it is to switch providers. Our research suggests Ofcom has already gone the furthest in Europe, leaving few good options available to the regulator from doing nothing through to banning the practice entirely.
Policymakers have called for pro-growth regulation, but what should this look like in practice for the telecoms sector? We analyse past approaches and consider if and/or how they might be reframed and reapplied for modern times through government interventions or regulatory reforms.
Regulators will play a vital role in enabling D2D, but many are playing catch up. Authorisation regimes will need to prioritise licensing as well as spectrum and interference management if these new services are to finally help close the digital divide.
With Brendan Carr set to take over the reins at the FCC, the regulator is expected to roll back red tape and prioritise global spectrum leadership. While we expect sweeping changes in consumer protection and net neutrality, Carr’s influence on broadband funding and tech regulation will be more limited.
The EC is considering rolling back regulation on the sector, particularly ex-ante rules that often apply to former incumbent operators. We consider whether this deregulatory push is part of a wider global trend.
With technological advances bringing satellite connectivity to the fore again, policymakers have identified core uses for space-based communications. We outline the role for satellite connectivity and consider the limitations for broader adoption
Following high profile network outages, regulators have reconsidered mobile network resilience in recent years. We review common resilience requirements made of MNOs and discuss the implications of emerging technologies for network resilience
Digital inclusion remains an unfulfilled objective, with certain groups at particular risk of being left behind. With a general election expected this year, we review the areas the next Government should target in order to help close the digital divide
Broadband labelling and advertising rules bring greater transparency for consumers when comparing tariffs and choosing a service. We compare common elements of labelling schemes around the world and consider their relationship to competition in the market
